Mitacs Accelerate Defence and Security Call

Mitacs has launched a new Accelerate Defence and Security Call in support of Canada’s Defence Industrial Strategy. This initiative is delivered in collaboration between Mitacs and  Canada’s Department of National Defence.  Canadian researchers and innovators with partner organizations on applied, mission-relevant research and development are called to advance innovation in strategic areas identified by the strategy as sovereign capabilities, such as:

The Mitacs Accelerate Defence and Security Call is a standalone application and cannot be leveraged with the joint NSERC-Mitacs program or other funding programs.

Deadlines

Key Highlights

• This is a competitive call. All applications will be assessed by Mitacs and undergo external peer review, with funding decisions determined by a panel. Applicants will be notified of outcomes once the review and processing period is complete (expected by early November 2026). 
• The call will be delivered through Mitacs’s Accelerate program and feature enhanced funding per internship unit (IU) for master’s and PhD students ($20,000 per IU) and postdoctoral fellows ($25,000 per IU).
• A project can run up to two years and include as many as 30 IUs. Interns must be identified at the time of application for a minimum of 50 per cent of the internships in the project, while no more than 50 per cent may be listed as to be determined.
• All applications will be reviewed based on the quality, feasibility and eligibility criteria for Mitacs Accelerate, as well as project impact and alignment with Canada’s Defence Industrial Strategy.

Eligibility

For more details, including who should apply, visit the Mitacs Accelerate Defence and Security Call webpage.

Submitting Your Application

1. Log in to cuResearch and submit an internal Approval Form. Review the cuResearch user’s manual.
2. To express interest in this call, please contact Mitacs advisor Rachel Sung.